GSM Industrial was contracted to fabricate a massive, high-finish architectural canopy for the U-Street Subway Station in Washington, DC. This showcase structure—built from T316 stainless steel rectangular tubing ranging from 12″x8″x5/8″ to 6″x4″x3/8″—weighs more than 46,000 pounds and requires museum-grade precision, flawless finishing, and uncompromising quality.
Unlike typical industrial fabrication, this canopy was designed to appear seamless—more like a machined sculpture than a welded assembly. Every component follows a precise radius. Every weld is blended, polished, inspected, and certified. The result is a visually stunning, structurally sound canopy built to meet AESS Level 4 standards, the highest architectural steel designation in the industry.
The canopy required a Level 4 Architectural Exposed Structural Steel finish, which demands:
Every structural piece had to follow exact radius contours, creating a build that was far more intricate than conventional structural fabrication.
All welds required verification:
The scope required continuous production planning, staging, and scheduling to hit critical dates without compromising quality.
To meet the expectations for quality, documentation, and structural compliance, GSM Industrial pursued and earned AISC Certified Fabricator status, strengthening our quality management program across every department.
We executed meticulous planning, including:
Our experienced stainless steel team handled:
The shop build mimicked actual on-site elevations, enabling the field installation team to anticipate challenges and ensure the canopy will install perfectly once delivered.
This canopy demanded the full strength of our organization:
GSM Industrial thrives on highly technical builds that require deep expertise, cross-department coordination, and the ability to deliver high-visibility, one-of-a-kind structures. This architectural canopy was a perfect example of our capabilities in action.
Have an architectural or specialty stainless steel project that demands precision?
We’re ready when you are.
AESS Level 4 is the most demanding architectural steel finish, requiring smooth, polished surfaces, fully blended welds, hidden connections, and museum-quality aesthetics.
T316 stainless steel offers superior corrosion resistance, durability, and strength, making it ideal for high-traffic public environments and outdoor exposure.
Yes. GSM provides turnkey support, including design review, detailing, fabrication, inspection, rigging, and field installation.
Absolutely. Radius-matched fabrication is one of our specialties, supported by precision tooling, skilled welders, and controlled finishing processes.
We specialize in complex stainless projects requiring polished finishes, tight tolerances, and corrosion-resistant performance.
Our team fabricates architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS) to Levels 1 through 4, meeting rigorous AISC certification standards while delivering precision aesthetic detailing for high-profile architectural applications.
GSM Industrial provides certified welders and in-house coordination with UT, LPT, and other testing methods to meet demanding specifications.
Our crews handle large, heavy structures safely and efficiently, ensuring proper positioning and seamless field fit-up.
From concept to shop mock-up to installation support, we deliver coordinated, end-to-end fabrication services.
